Dutch brewing giant Heineken has appointed Rafael Oliveira as its new chief executive officer, replacing Dolf van den Brink following his planned departure in January 2027.

According to AFP, as reported by Channels Television, Oliveira’s nomination is subject to shareholder approval. He joins the brewer from coffee company JDE Peet’s at a challenging period for Heineken.

The announcement comes after six years under van den Brink, whose tenure was marked by mixed results. The company has faced weakening beer sales and increasing economic pressures in several markets.

Supervisory board chairman Peter Wennink expressed confidence in the appointment, saying the company looked forward to building on its strong foundations and continuing its long-term growth strategy under Oliveira’s leadership.

Heineken reported in April that beer sales fell by nearly one per cent in the first quarter, citing an increasingly complex economic environment and rising energy costs. Earlier this year, the brewer also announced plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs as part of efforts to improve efficiency.

Oliveira said he was confident of accelerating growth, boosting productivity and positioning the company for future success while strengthening its connection with consumers worldwide.

The leadership change comes as Heineken seeks to navigate a tougher global operating environment while restoring sales momentum across its key markets.